Choose from the list below to see details for each of the features listed. Those of you that have used SimEnhancer 3D will find most of this program works in a very similar manner.
 

Select NPC (Non Playable Character)

Use this drop down list to select from any NPC Characters available in your game. Note this does not include Townies, Tourists, Somebody's, Etc. which are actually playable once they have moved in with a family. To change these types of characters which have many more options for editing you can use SimEnhancer 3D.

Restore (NPC)

If a NPC has been changed and then saved the SE NPC MakeOver Kit will extract a copy from the game files to save the changes to. This copy is used instead of the game default when it exists. To restore the game to the original NPC click the restore button. This will then remove the modified copy and then load the default data for that NPC back into the SE NPC MakeOver Kit for editing.

3D Viewport The 3D Viewport is visible most of the time. It is used for making character changes and for most of the functions used for working with skins.

The following interactions with the Viewport are available:

- Wire Frame. (Allows you to view the underlying 3D wire frame)
- Left Click and Drag. (Rotate, twist or Roll  the character to any angle, center is at the pelvis)
- Right Click and Drag (Zooms in and Out)
- Hold CTRL Key and Left Click and Drag (Pan around to get a closer view of each part)
 

Body, Head, & Hands Buttons

These are for selecting which portion of the character you wish to change. When you select each the Current Mesh and Selected Texture lists will display skins that are specifically for that body part. Hands will display a set available hands to choose from in the upper right corner. The exception is that it will also display the default skins assigned to the character when it has not been modified. (I.E. If the restore button is not enabled)

Reset Thumbnails

This box basically just tells the program to assign new thumbnails to the NPC when it is saved. In some cases this will not be available if the program has determined new thumbnails need to be assigned. (I.E. If the head is changed) This is not the same as SimEnhancer 3D which normally just removes the thumbnails. The game does not add new thumbnails into NPC files and therefore they need to be replaced in order to keep it from displaying a black box or the old unchanged NPC thumbnails. These thumbnails will not look identical to those that the game would generate if it replaced them in NPC Characters. Please do not email me concerning this since most people would rather see a reasonable likeness than to see one that looks like someone else or that is just a blank box.

NPC Name

Allows changes to the Name that is displayed for the NPC during game play.

Age Selection

This will not be available for Pet NPC's. For others it allows you to select either adult or child for the NPC. Keep in mind that the game often has specific animations that are used by NPC's that may look odd if the NPC is not the same age as intended. For instance an child mail person my appear to put the mail under the mail box rather than in it. (I haven't tested it, this is just an example of possible odd looking behavior)

Gender Selection

Allows you to select from male or female skins for your NPC. This has considerably less effect in the game than SimEnhancer 3D. Most NPC's will use the same set of Animation no matter what gender is specified whereas normal characters have many animations specific to the gender. For example relieving their bladder. For the most part this just determines what set of skins are available in the CMX and Texture lists.

Skin Tone Selection

This basically just changes the set of skins available in the CMX and Texture lists dependent upon the skin tone selected. Skin Tone does not have any effect during game play for any characters with the exception of the skins available when changing outfits which is not an option for NPC's.

Body Size Selection

This is the same as Skin Tone above except that it will be dependant upon the body size selected.

Texture (*.bmp) View

This displays a flat unmapped view of the texture currently selected in the Selected Texture list.

Current Mesh Selection

This displays a list of skins that are used by normal characters in the game. The skins displayed will be dependant upon what selections are made in the left panel.

Custom *.cmx files can be add to this list from any known valid skin location by right clicking the drop down box and selecting "Browse for Custom File".

Extract (Current Mesh)

This button allows you to extract a copy of the default skins used by the NPC. (Available only if the NPC has not been previously edited and if there is not already a *.cmx in any skin path with the same name) This will include the *.cmx file, any *.skn files listed in the *.cmx, and any *.bmp file listed in the *.skn files. These can be placed in any folder for editing. I suggest adding a sub-folder to the skins directory for this. Extracting them can be useful to either edit them without editing the NPC itself (If the edited skins are placed in the skins folder the game will use them as the defaults fo the character), or they can be modified for use in your game by normal characters. (See the tutorials for a tutorial explaining how to do this)

Texture Selection

This displays a list of textures that have names matching the cmx selected in the Current CMX list

Custom *.bmp files can be add to this list from any known valid skin location by right clicking the drop down box and selecting "Browse for Custom File".

Extract (Current Texture)

This allows you to extract the default texture used by the selected NPC. (Available only if the NPC has not been previously edited and if there is not already a *.bmp in any skin path with the same name) This can then be placed in any folder for editing. I suggest adding a sub-folder to the skins directory for this. Extracting them can be useful to either edit the texture without editing the NPC itself (If the edited skins are placed in the skins folder the game will use them as the defaults fo the character), or they can be modified for use in your game by normal characters. (See the tutorials for a tutorial explaining how to do this)  This can be used in combination with using the CMX Extract button (although the CMX extraction will usually extract the texture anyway since it is usually listed in a *.skn file) or seperately if you only want to change the graphics and not the shape for a particular NPC.

Save/Exit

Save saves any pending modifications to NPC's and leaves the program open for further editing. Exit will give you an opportunity to save pending changes if any and then exits. When changes are saved to a NPC a copy of the NPC is extracted in the folder where the NPC originated. For instance if it is found in ExpansionPack\ExpansionPack.far then a copy will be saved in the ExpansionPack folder. I suggest deleting any modified NPC's either directly or by using the Restore button before you install a new expansion pack. Then go back and edit them again since there may be subtle changes to them any time a new expansion is released.

Additional notes:

SE NPC MakeOver Kit requires a Video card with hardware acceleration and that supports OpenGL. Most PC's and Video Cards sold within the past few years should fall into this category. Chances are if you are playing the game without problems then you should not have any problems running SE NPC MakeOver Kit. If you are worried about it being compatible please download the trial and check it before purchasing.

Functions available will depend upon what expansion packs are installed.

SE NPC MakeOver Kit will provide the best representation of what the characters will look like in the game if your display settings are set to 16 Million Colors. (16 Bit)